Azerbaijan, Baku / Trend corr I. Khalilova / The United States has rendered $50mln in agricultural assistance to Azerbaijan so far and furthering progress in cooperation in this sector, US State Department's Special Representative on Trade and Business, Frank Mermud, said during the meeting with the Azerbaijani Economic Development Minister, Heydar Babayev. The guest proposed joint financing of non-oil projects and agriculture in particular. The projects can cover control over the quality and certification of agriculture products, food security, infrastructure, and combat against Avian Flu. Training of experts is also available.
According to Mermud, he has met with a number of officials engaged in agriculture. Several projects have been preliminarily agreed upon. He noted the important role of the Ministry in implementation of the projects.
The Minister for Economic Development voiced his willingness to render any support in expansion of cooperation in efficient utilization of non-oil potential between the two countries. Babayev commended the active part of US companies in trans-national projects implemented by Azerbaijan in the Caspian region and South Caucasus.